Letter from Ibbi-Suen to Puzur-Šulgi hoping for Išbi-Erra's downfall

Version A

1-3. Say to {Puzur-Šulgi} {(2 mss. have instead:) Puzur-Numušda}, the governor of Kazallu: this is what Ibbi-Suen, your lord, says:

4-5. When I had chosen for you …… from among the troops, they were at your disposal, as governor of Kazallu. But as in my own case, are not {your troops} {(1 ms. has instead:) your people} proof (?) of your importance?

6-9. Why have you sent me somebody saying: "Išbi-Erra has got his eyes upon me -- so let me come to you when he falls upon me"?

10-14. How come you did not know how long it would take to make Išbi-Erra return to the mountain lands? Why have you and Girbubu, the governor of Ĝirikal, not confronted him with the troops which you had at hand? How could you allow (?) him to restore (?) ……?

15-19. Today (?) Enlil loathes Sumer and has elevated to the shepherdship of the Land an ape which has {descended} {(2 mss. have instead:) come forth} from those mountain lands. {Now Enlil has given kingship to a dishonest man, {a seller of} {(1 ms. has instead:) who values} asafoetida} {(1 ms. has instead:) At this moment Enlil …… to somebody who sells asafoetida, a peripatetic criminal} -- to Išbi-Erra, who is not of Sumerian origin.

20-24. See, the assembly where the gods are and Sumer itself have been dispersed! Father Enlil, whose words prevail (?), said: "Until the enemy has been expelled (?) from Urim, Išbi-Erra, the man from Mari, will tear out Urim's foundations. He will indeed measure out Sumer like grain." He has spoken just so.

25-28. Even though you were installed as governors of the various …… the others will defect to Išbi-Erra, in accordance with Enlil's word. Should you hand over your city to the enemy like your companions, {Išbi-Erra will not recognise you as his faithful and agreeable servant.} {(1 ms. has instead:) will Išbi-Erra recognise you as his faithful and agreeable servant?}

29-34. May it now be brought about (?) that good words should be restored and treason extinguished. Let Išbi-Erra (?) participate in the harvest among the people there; but you yourself, {do not turn back} {(1 ms. has instead:) do not harvest}, and do not come to me! His grasp should not get hold of the city! This man from Mari, with the understanding of a dog, should not exercise lordship!

35-38. {Now Enlil, my helper, has made the Martu rise from their mountain lands} {(1 ms. has instead:) Now Enlil has …… the Tidnum as …… from their mountain lands}. They will repel Elam and seize Išbi-Erra. To regain the Land will indeed make our might known in all the foreign lands. It is urgent! {Do not be neglectful} {(1 ms. has instead:) Do not all give up}!

20-23.1 line fragmentary He (?) will defect to Išbi-Erra ……. So long as …… has indeed not been handed over to (?) the enemy, will Išbi-Erra himself (?) recognise ……?

24-35. You ……. …… he (?) destroyed (?) for you. 1 line fragmentary …… he (?) overturns (?) there. …… returning (?) ……. …… in my having ……. I (?) had in mind ……. …… was set there in prosperity. …… is supreme over ……, after I (?) have made …… there. I will seize him with my own hands ……. 1 line fragmentaryunknown no. of lines missing